Friendly Patience (A TFP Fanfiction) - Megatron x OC

CHAPTER 5 - Two Years of a 'Simple Life'

The road to recovery was long and winding. Occasionally, Tua would be better than ever, sailing on easy medications and recoveries. However, twice, she had fallen below the line. Once, her spark stopped altogether. But in between, Ratchet and herself reconnected, Tua annoying him and Ratchet ordering or scolding her. When he found out how she had gone blind in one optic, he almost threw her. Calling her a 'prideful fool', while she just grinned like an idiot. Oh, she had definitely missed this.

Tua kept to her word, training Rose to be a 'medic' of sorts. Of course, Ratchet helped out more than she did, but all to the same goal. Wilfred, however, was far too old for it. He had been given a house to retire in a nearby town called Jasper. It was hot, quiet, and calm, But that's all he needed. Remarkably, Rose was eager to learn in between her shifts at the mall. She had to get money somewhere. At least that's what she told Tua when she complained of being bored on her own.

On her road to recovery, a wrecker Autobot was found. He crashed amongst the Himalayas causing a panic in a nearby village. But when he was recovered, one of his limbs was detached and he was battered to a pulp. When he was retrieved, he was interrogated to the point where he swore his oath to the Autobot cause. For now, he would be watched with Tua in the med bay, where they introduced one another. His name was Bulkhead, a green stocky wrecker. She had heard his designation before in a few stories of the wreckers. They got along quite well, much to Optimus' delight. Ratchet, however, found yet another clumsy Autobot in the way. And what was worse, Tua treated Bulkhead like a sibling. As if Earth wasn't difficult enough.

Finally, the day came where Tua was allowed to leave the birth. She'd been there for about a month, slowly recovering. The hole was now gone, her leg also reattached. Her optic, however, did not surface as easily. It was fixed, but occasionally crackled out, therefore, She would need regular checks and operations to keep the damaged optic alight.

When it came to choosing a vehicle mode, Optimus had agreed to accompany her. They Groundbridged not too far away, just in case Tua was indeed a Decepticon. But Optimus found himself trusting her more and more every day. Ratchet didn't care, just as long as she wasn't annoying him.

They arrived at an old dirt road where a race of antique cars took place. Watching from a cliff, Tua made her choice. A black-based off-road Racing car with white detailing. It was quite small, but perfect for maneuvering. Exactly what Tua needed.

A few days later, after Optimus had taken Tua with him on a few Energon runs, he was confident allowing her to go out on her own. If not, they had her life signal, so they had a fix on her location at all times. But Tua loved it. It felt so free to go for drives, even if she was being tracked. She wasn't running from anyone or to anything, not forced to drive or run. 

She brought Rose with her once across a plain in Norway. And they both loved it. The cold was adrenaline-inducing as she weaved in and out of the dirt tracks down long winding roads. This planet was so new and fresh and green, Rose giving Tua the occasional lesson on a plant or rock. Despite not knowing each other long, they got along so well. Especially as they both found freedom to be such a beautiful thing.

One day, Tua returned to find Bumblebee in the base with Optimus. She had met him before, as he had been tasked to help out in one of the sectors she worked in during the war. They had both greeted one another, finding pleasant Company and sharing stories. But Tua had never heard his voice. She knew what Megatron had done to him.

She, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee were all permitted to leave the base and search for Energon. Ratchet had done the science and math, finding that they wouldn't last long without new preserves or emergency rationing. They all now lived on a familiar half a tank, but no one minded. As long as they had enough to last them all a while.